Multifunction structural furring system

ABSTRACT

Structural furring systems having enhanced drainage functionality are described. Furring strips can include a substantially planar face, substantially planar webs extending from edges of the face, and substantially planar legs extending from opposite edges of the legs. The face and/or legs include a row or array of protrusions configured to accommodate drainage and ventilation between the furring strip and an attached exterior cladding and/or building substrate. Furring strips can be manufactured by rolling a sheet metal such as steel. Additional embodiments include a furring tape configured to be affixed to a substantially flat face of a commercially available furring strip to provide similar drainage features.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/478,980, filed Mar. 30,2017, entitled “MULTIFUNCTION STRUCTURAL FURRING SYSTEM,” which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure generally relates to building constructionmaterials and methods, and more particularly relates to cladding systemsincluding furring.

Description of the Related Art

Cladding panels such as those made of fiber cement are frequentlyattached to the structural frame of a building to form a non-structuralfacade of the building. Furring strips are often disposed between thecladding panels and the building structure to form an air gaptherebetween. The air gap creates a capillary break which allows fordrainage and evaporation of moisture.

Conventional furring strips can present a number of disadvantages. Theytypically must be installed in a vertical orientation so as to provideadequate drainage, as horizontally oriented furring strips can limit thedrainage and drying capacity of a wall cavity behind a cladding. Lateralspacing and alignment of vertically oriented furring is generallyrelatively inflexible, being determined by the location and spacing ofstuds or other vertically oriented building substrate materials. Inaddition, the wind load rating on cladding panels fastened toconventional furring strips may be less than desirable. Nail withdrawalor pull through are common causes of cladding system failure.

SUMMARY

The systems, methods, and devices described herein address one or moreproblems as described above and associated with current furring systems.The systems, methods and devices described herein have innovativeaspects, no single one of which is indispensable or solely responsiblefor their desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of theclaims, the summary below describes some of the advantageous features.

According to the present disclosure there is provided a furring strip asset out in appended claims 1 to 9. There is also provided a wallcladding system comprising a furring strip and at least one wallcladding panel as set out in appended claims 10 and 11.

In one embodiment, a furring strip for mounting a wall cladding articleto a building substrate is described. The furring strip comprises asubstantially planar face defined generally by a length and a width, thesubstantially planar face comprising a first edge and a second edgeopposite the first edge along the width, a plurality of substantiallyplanar webs, each substantially planar web extending from the first edgeor the second edge of the substantially planar face, and a plurality ofsubstantially planar legs parallel to the substantially planar face,each substantially planar leg extending from one of the plurality ofsubstantially planar webs at an end opposite the substantially planarface. The substantially planar face comprising a plurality ofprotrusions configured to produce one or more drainage channels betweenthe substantially planar face and a cladding article secured to thesubstantially planar face, said drainage channels defining at least onegravity-assisted fluid flow path when the furring strip is mounted in ahorizontal or vertical orientation.

In some embodiments, each of the plurality of substantially planar legscomprises a plurality of protrusions configured to produce one or moredrainage channels between the substantially planar legs and a buildingsubstrate secured to the substantially planar legs.

In some embodiments, the protrusions comprise an array of dimplesextending from an outer side of the face. In some embodiments, thedimples are arranged in a rectangular array on the substantially planarface with a spacing of at least 0.25 inches (6.35mm) and not greaterthan approximately 1 inch (2.54cm) between adjacent dimples. In someembodiments, the dimples extend to a height of between approximately0.03125 inches (0.7938mm) and approximately 0.25 inches (6.35mm)relative to the outer side of the substantially planar face. In someembodiments, the dimples extend to a height of between approximately0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm) and approximately 0.125 inches (3.175mm)relative to the outer side of the substantially planar face.

In some embodiments, each of the substantially planar webs comprises aplurality of openings extending through the substantially planar web toaccommodate water or air flow through the web. In some embodiments, eachof the openings has a width between approximately 0.1 inches (2.54mm)and approximately 0.3 inches (7.62mm), and a length betweenapproximately 0.5 inches (1.27cm) and 1.5 inches (3.81cm).

In some embodiments, the furring strip comprises a rolled sheet metal.In some embodiments, the metal comprises steel having a thickness of atleast 20 gauge and not greater than 16 gauge. In some embodiments, awind load of approximately 44.4 lbf (195.7 N)at two or more fasteningpoints along the face produces a deflection between 0 and l/240 inches,where l is the span distance, expressed in inches (l/609.6 cm whenexpressed in cm), between the fastening points.

In one embodiment, a wall cladding system having a multifunctionstructural furring is described. The wall cladding system comprises thefurring strip as described above and at least one wall cladding panel.

In one particular embodiment, the furring strip of the wall claddingstrip comprises a substantially planar face defined generally by alength and a width, the substantially planar face comprising a firstedge and a second edge opposite the first edge along the width, the facecomprising an array of convex dimples extending from an outer side ofthe substantially planar face; a plurality of substantially planar webs,each substantially planar web extending from the first edge or thesecond edge of the substantially planar face in a direction opposite theouter side, each substantially planar web comprising a plurality ofopenings extending through the substantially planar web to accommodatewater or air flow through the substantially planar web; and a pluralityof substantially planar legs parallel to the substantially planar face,each substantially planar leg extending from one of the plurality ofsubstantially planar webs at an end opposite the substantially planarface, each substantially planar leg comprising a row of convex dimplesextending from an inner side of the substantially planar leg oppositethe substantially planar webs and substantially planar face, wherein thefurring strip is mounted to the exterior of a building substrate by aplurality of mechanical fasteners such that the convex dimples of thesubstantially planar legs abut the building substrate and the length ofthe substantially planar face is in a horizontal orientation relative tothe building substrate. The at least one wall cladding panel is mountedto the furring strip by one or more mechanical fasteners such that theconvex dimples of the substantially planar face abut the wall claddingpanel. An inner surface of the wall cladding panel, the outer side ofthe substantially planar face, and two or more of the dimples of thesubstantially planar face define a first gravity-assisted drainage flowpath. The building substrate, the inner sides of the legs, and two ormore of the dimples of the substantially planar legs define a secondgravity-assisted drainage flow path.

In one embodiment the furring strip of the wall cladding strip is madeof a rolled sheet metal. In some embodiments, the rolled sheet metalcomprises steel having a thickness of at least 20 gauge and not greaterthan 16 gauge. In some embodiments, the dimples are arranged in arectangular array on the face with a spacing of at least 0.25 inches(6.35 mm) and not greater than approximately 1 inch (2.54cm) betweenadjacent dimples. In some embodiments, the dimples extend to a height ofbetween 0.03125 inches (0.7938mm) and approximately 0.25 inches (6.35mm)relative to the outer side of the face. In some embodiments, the dimplesextend to a height of between approximately 0.0625 inches (1.5875 mm)and approximately 0.125 inches (3.175mm) relative to the outer side ofthe face. In some embodiments, a wind load producing a force of 44.4 lbf(195.7 N)at two or more adjacent mechanical fasteners mounting the wallcladding panel to the furring strip induces a deflection in the facebetween 0 and //240 inches, where / is the span distance, expressed ininches (//609.6 cm when expressed in cm), between the two adjacentmechanical fasteners.

In another embodiment, an adhesive drainage tape for a furring strip isdescribed. The adhesive tape comprises a substantially planar tapedefined generally by a length, a width, an inner surface, and an outersurface, the inner surface at least partially coated with a chemicaladhesive, and an array of protrusions extending from the outer surface,the protrusions generally defined by a height relative to the outersurface and a spacing between adjacent protrusions. The adhesive tape isconfigured to be fixed by the chemical adhesive to a substantially flatface surface of a structural furring strip before an exterior claddingarticle is coupled to the furring strip such that, when the exteriorcladding article is coupled to the furring strip, a gravity-assisteddrainage flow path is defined by an inner surface of the wall claddingpanel, the outer surface of the tape, and two or more of theprotrusions.

In some embodiments, the protrusions are arranged in a rectangular arrayon the outer surface with a spacing of at least 0.25 inches (6.35mm) andnot greater than approximately 1 inch (2.54cm) between adjacentprotrusions. In some embodiments, the protrusions extend to a height ofbetween approximately 0.03125 inches (0.7938mm) and approximately 0.25inches (6.35mm) relative to the outer surface. In some embodiments, theprotrusions extend to a height of between approximately 0.0625 inches(1.5875 mm) and approximately 0.125 inches (3.175mm) relative to theouter surface. In some embodiments, the protrusions comprise dimpleshaving a circular cross-section. In some embodiments, the width of theadhesive tape is selected to fit against a face of a hat channel furringstrip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fromfigure to figure, the same or similar reference numerals are used todesignate similar components of an illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a furring strip with drainage featuresin accordance with a first example embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional profile view taken about the line 1B-1B ofFIG. 1A, illustrating an example configuration of drainage featuresincorporated therein.

FIG. 1C is a side elevation view of the furring strip of FIGS. 1A and1B.

FIG. 1D is a top plan view of the furring strip of FIGS. 1A-1C.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a furring strip with drainage featuresin accordance with a second example embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an end profile view of the furring strip of FIG. 2A,illustrating an example configuration of drainage features incorporatedtherein.

FIG. 2C is a side elevation view of the furring strip of FIGS. 2A and2B.

FIG. 2D is a top plan view of the furring strip of FIGS. 2A-2C.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a furring strip with drainage featuresin accordance with a third example embodiment.

FIG. 3B is an end profile view of the furring strip of FIG. 3A,illustrating an example configuration of drainage features incorporatedtherein.

FIG. 3C is a side elevation view of the furring strip of FIGS. 3A and3B.

FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the furring strip of FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a furring strip with drainage featuresin accordance with a fourth example embodiment.

FIG. 4B is an end profile view of the furring strip of FIG. 4A,illustrating an example configuration of drainage features incorporatedtherein.

FIG. 4C is a side elevation view of the furring strip of FIGS. 4A and4B.

FIG. 4D is a top plan view of the furring strip of FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a furring strip with drainage featuresin accordance with a fifth example embodiment.

FIG. 5B is an end profile view of the furring strip of FIG. 5A,illustrating an example configuration of drainage features incorporatedtherein.

FIG. 5C is a side elevation view of the furring strip of FIGS. 5A and5B.

FIG. 5D is a top plan view of the furring strip of FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a furring strip with drainagefunctionality in accordance with a sixth example embodiment.

FIG. 6B is an end profile view of the furring strip of FIG. 6A,illustrating an example configuration of drainage features incorporatedtherein.

FIG. 6C is a side elevation view of the furring strip of FIGS. 6A and6B.

FIG. 6D is a top plan view of the furring strip of FIGS. 6A-6C.

FIG. 7A is a front elevation view of a structural furring systemincluding a plurality of furring strips installed on a buildingsubstrate.

FIG. 7B is a side profile view of the system of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of a rain screen system includingcladding articles secured to the furring strips of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8B is a side profile view of the system of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a furring strip and a textured adhesivetape configured to provide rain screen drainage functionality whenapplied to the furring strip.

FIGS. 9B-9G depict alternative surface texture configurations of theadhesive tape depicted in FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present disclosure is described with reference to specificexamples, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure may beembodied in many other forms.

The embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure.

In the description which follows, like parts may be marked throughoutthe specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. Thedrawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features may beshown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat generalized or schematic formin the interest of clarity and conciseness.

To assist in the description of various components of the furringsystems described herein, the following coordinate terms are used (see,e.g., FIGS. 1A-1B). A “length” of a furring strip generally refers tothe longest dimension of the furring strip embodiments depicted. A“width” is the dimension normal to the length and parallel to the planeof the faces and legs of a furring strip. A “height” is the dimensionnormal to the length and width. For example, the perspective view ofFIG. 1A depicts a furring strip having a length along the direction ofthe z axis, a width along the direction of the x axis, and a heightalong the direction of the y axis. An “inner” surface or component isgenerally configured to be disposed proximal to and/or oriented toward abuilding substrate, and an “outer” surface or component is generallyconfigured to be disposed distal to and/or oriented away from a buildingsubstrate. For example, the view of FIG. 7B depicts several furringstrips having legs 710 disposed at the inner end of webs 730, and a face720 disposed at the outer end of webs 730. Although certain dimensionswill be provided for various components described and depicted herein,each of the furring strips and components thereof may be implementedwith different dimensions in other embodiments, for example, by scalingthe dimensions isotropically and/or by independently altering individualdimensions.

Furring has traditionally been installed vertically. Horizontal furringmay be desirable in building construction for various reasons, such asto enable a flexible or customizable layout for vertical panel joints,and/or to provide a regular and/or symmetrical layout of claddingfasteners independent of the location of vertical framing members.However, existing furring products typically cannot be installedhorizontally because a horizontal configuration tends to cause water tocollect above the furring strips, rather than draining downward.Existing furring products thus typically are installed vertically, atlocations determined by the location and availability of verticalframing studs, resulting in relatively few options for the location ofvertical panel joints.

Generally described, various embodiments of the present disclosureprovide a furring system comprising multifunctional furring strips thatcan be installed in a horizontal orientation, a vertical orientation, oran orientation between horizontal and vertical, while providingdesirable drainage, ventilation, and wind load resistance attributes inany such orientation. Furring strips described herein can be installedhorizontally to a building substrate, and exterior cladding articles ofvarious weights, such as fiber cement siding or the like, can be securedto the furring strips to create a rain screen system including an airgap between the exterior cladding and the building substrate. When thefurring strips described herein are installed as part of a rain screensystem, surface dimples can provide a capillary break, drainage channel,or ventilation space at one or more interfaces between the furringstrips and the building substrate or exterior cladding. Certainembodiments of the furring strips disclosed herein have dimples with acombination of dimple height and dimple spacing configured to providedesirable drainage in a horizontal configuration, while also providingreliable wind load resistance and prevention of blowout or nailpull-through. For example, certain embodiments of the furring stripsdisclosed herein may provide up to three gravity-assisted fluid flowpaths (e.g., between the legs and a building substrate, between the faceand a cladding, and/or through web openings).

Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide drained furring tapethat can be applied to existing furring strips that lack sufficientdrainage when installed horizontally. Drained furring tapes can beadhesive tapes having an outer surface with an array of raised drainagefeatures. Thus, a length of furring tape can be applied to anoutward-facing surface of a commercially available flat furring strip,such as a metal hat channel or wood furring strip, to produce a drainedfurring strip that can be installed in a horizontal configuration in arainscreen system.

FIGS. 1A-1D depict a first embodiment of a furring strip 100incorporating drainage functionality. The furring strip 100 is a linealstructural member having a profile defined generally by legs 110, a face120, and webs 130 disposed between and contiguous with the legs 110 andthe face 120. The legs 110 are substantially planar and include legdimples 115 spaced along the length of each leg 110. Similarly, the face120 is substantially planar and parallel to the legs 110, with facedimples 125 spaced in an array along the length and width of the face120. Webs 130 extend between the lateral ends of the face 120 and themedial ends of the legs 110, with web openings 135 spaced along thelength of the webs 130. The dimples 115, 125, and web openings 135provide enhanced drainage and ventilation, as will be described ingreater detail below.

The furring strip 100 is configured to be installed adjacent to abuilding substrate to secure a cladding article, such as a fiber cementpanel or the like, to the building substrate in a spaced configurationto form an air gap. The furring strip 100 is generally configured forinstallation such that the legs 110 and/or leg dimples 115 are adjacentto the building substrate along the length of the furring strip 100and/or at various locations along the furring strip 100 (e.g., if thefurring strip 100 is mounted to a plurality of discrete structuralmembers such as studs, rather than to a sheathing or other continuoussubstrate), and the face 120 and/or face dimples 125 are adjacent to thecladding article, so as to form an air gap having a width determined bythe height 132 of the furring strip 100 (as shown in FIG. 1B).Mechanical fastening means can be used to secure the legs 110 to thebuilding substrate and to secure the cladding article to the face 120.Installation of strips such as furring strip 100 with cladding andbuilding substrates is discussed in greater detail below with referenceto FIGS. 7A-8B.

All or a portion of the furring strip 100 can be made from any suitablematerial, for example, a metal such as steel, aluminum, or the like. Insome embodiments, the furring strip 100 comprises a single piece ofsteel of a suitable thickness to retain dimensional stability whencoupled to a building substrate and a cladding article. For example, thefurring strip 100 can be manufactured from sheet steel, for example,bare metal sheet steel or corrosion-treated sheet steel, having athickness between 20 gauge (0.0329 inches or 0.836 mm) and 16 gauge(0.0538 inches or 1.367 mm). In embodiments comprising sheet steel, thefurring strip 100 can be manufactured by rolling, extruding, pressing,or the like. In some embodiments, the furring strip 100 is manufacturedby producing the dimples 115, 125 and punching, laser cutting, orotherwise creating the web openings 135 into a strip of sheet steel, andthen forming the pre-textured strip with web openings 135 into the finalchannel shape using a roll form or the like. In some embodiments, themetal material may further have a fine profile, or surface texture, onthe outer surfaces 110 a, 120 a of the legs 110 and face 120, forexample, to assist in the orientation of mechanical fasteners beingdriven through the furring strip 100 and prevent unintended lateralmovement (e.g., “walking” or “wandering”) of mechanical fastener tipswhen being driven through the furring strip 100.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 1B, several features of the profileof the furring strip 100 are configured to provide enhanced drainagefunctionality. Each leg 110 has an outer leg surface 110 a and an innerleg surface 110 b. Each leg dimple 115 includes a recess 115 a of theouter leg surface 110 a, and a corresponding protrusion 115 b of theinner leg surface 110 b. Similarly, the face 120 has an outer facesurface 120 a and an inner face surface 120 b. Each face dimple 125includes a protrusion 125 a of the outer face surface 120 a, and acorresponding recess 125 b of the inner face surface 120 b.

Dimples are generally characterized by a dimple spacing 126 and a dimpleheight 127. As used herein, the dimple spacing 126 is the lateraldisplacement (e.g., in the x or z direction of FIGS. 1A-1D) between thecenters of adjacent dimples 115, 125. Dimple spacing may refer to thespacing of face dimples 125 along the width of the face 120, and/or thespacing of leg dimples 115 or face dimples 125 along the length of theleg 110 or face 120. The dimple height 127 is the vertical displacement(e.g., in the y direction of FIGS. 1A-1D) between the outer face surface120 a and the center of the protrusion 125 a. For a leg dimple 115, thedimple height 127 can similarly be measured as the vertical displacementbetween the inner leg surface 110 b and the center of the protrusion 115b.

The webs 130 are disposed between the legs 110 and the face 120 andextend from the legs 110 and face 120 at an intersection defined by aweb angle φ between the web 130 and either the outer leg surface 110 aor the inner face surface 120 b. The web angle φ can be acute, right, orobtuse, however, an obtuse web angle web angle φ greater than 90° mayadvantageously facilitate drainage when the furring strip 100 isinstalled against a vertical building substrate, such that the directionof gravity is substantially along the x axis. Thus, the height 132 ofthe furring strip 100, as generally defined by the vertical displacementbetween the center of the protrusions 115 b of the inner leg surface 110b and the center of the protrusions 125 a of the outer face surface 120a, is at least partially dependent on the length of the webs 130 and onthe web angle φ. In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, theangle φ is approximately 95°.

The example furring strip 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1D has a height 132 of0.75 inches (19.05 mm). The dimples of the furring strip 100 have adiameter of 0.3125 inches (7.938 mm) and a dimple height of 127 of0.0626 inches (1.5875 mm). The face dimples 125 are arranged in aregular grid pattern with a dimple spacing 126 of 0.5625 inches (14.288mm) along both the length and the width of the face 120. Thus, the facedimples 125 may cover 20%-28% of the face 120. The leg dimples 115 aresimilarly spaced at 0.5625 inches (14.288 mm) along the length of thelegs 110. The web openings 135 are oval, elliptical, or obround, havinga total length (e.g., a dimension along the length of the furring strip100) of 1.125 inches (28.575 mm) and a height (e.g., a dimension normalto the length and in the plane of the web 130) of 0.275 inches (6.985mm), with adjacent web openings 135 being spaced 1 inch (25.4 mm) apartalong the length of the web 130. The web openings 135 of each web 130may be positioned and/or sized to correspond to the web openings 135 ofthe opposing web 130 so as to facilitate drainage of water through bothwebs 130 when the furring strip 100 is installed horizontally. Thesedimensions represent a single example configuration.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, a second embodiment of a furring strip 200similarly comprises two legs 210, a face 220, and two webs 230connecting the legs 210 and the face 220. The furring strip 200 issubstantially similar in structure and function to the furring strip 100depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D, including spaced leg dimples 215 and facedimples 225 arranged in an array of four rows. Unlike the furring strip100 of FIGS. 1A-1D, the face dimples 225 of the furring strip 200 arearranged in a plurality of offset rows, wherein each row is displacedalong the length of the furring strip 200, relative to each adjacentrow, e.g., by 0.140625 inches (3.57 mm). As the lengthwise dimplespacing 226 of the face dimples 225 is 0.5625 inches (14.288 mm), theoffset between adjacent rows results in a configuration in which no twoface dimples 225 are centered on a line along the width of the furringstrip 200.

Similar to the furring strip 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D, the furring strip 200can comprise a metal such as steel. For example, the furring strip 200can be made of a sheet steel having a width between 20 gauge and 16gauge, and can be manufactured by rolling, extruding, pressing, or thelike. In some embodiments, the furring strip 200 is manufactured byproducing the dimples 215, 225 and punching the web openings 235 into astrip of sheet steel, and then forming the pre-textured and pre-punchedstrip into the final channel shape using a roll form or the like.

FIGS. 3A-3D depict a third embodiment of a furring strip 300incorporating drainage functionality similar to the furring strips 100,200 described above. The furring strip 300 includes legs 310, a face320, and webs 330 connecting the legs 310 and the face 320. The face 320includes face dimples 325 in a regular array configuration. Similar tothe furring strip 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D, the face dimples 325 have adiameter of 0.3125 inches (7.938 mm) and are spaced along the length andwidth of the face 320 at 0.5625 inches (14.288 mm).

The furring strip 300 has a total height (as measured from the innersurface 310 b of the legs 310 to the center of the protrusion 325 a ofthe face dimples 325) of 0.375 inches (9.525 mm). The face dimples 325have a height of 0.125 inches (3.175 mm). Due to the relatively shorterheight of the webs 330 relative to the webs 130, 230 of FIGS. 1A-2D, webopenings 335 of the furring strip 300 have a length of 1.125 inches(28.575 mm) and a height of 0.071 inches (1.8034 mm).

In some embodiments, such as the furring strip 300 shown in FIGS. 3A-3D,the legs 310 of the furring strip 300 are substantially flat and do notinclude leg dimples as shown in

FIGS. 1A-2D. In such embodiments, the inner surface 310 b of the legs310 is positioned directly against a building substrate when installed,and drainage occurs primarily through the web openings 335 and facedimples 325.

FIGS. 4A-4D depict a fourth embodiment of a furring strip 400. Thefurring strip 400 includes legs 410, a face 420, and webs 430 disposedbetween the legs 410 and the face 420.

Similar to the furring strip 100 depicted in FIGS. 1A-1D, the furringstrip 400 has a height of 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) with a dimple diameterof 0.3125 inches (7.938 mm) and a dimple height of 0.0626 inches (1.5875mm). As compared to the furring strip 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D, the furringstrip 400 has a relatively larger dimple spacing, with face dimples 425spaced 0.84 inches (21.336 mm) apart along the width of the face 420,and 1 inch (25.4 mm) apart along the length of the face 420.

Accordingly, each row of face dimples 425 (e.g., along the width of theface 420) is a row of 3 dimples, rather than 4 dimples as in the furringstrip 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D. Accordingly, the face dimples 425 may cover16%-20% of the face 420. The spacing of leg dimples 415 can beindependent of the face dimple 425 spacing, and may be the same ordifferent from the leg dimple 415 spacing of FIGS. 1A-1D.

In some embodiments, such as the example furring strip 400, apertures413, 423 can be provided in the legs 410 and face 420 respectively, toaccommodate mechanical fasteners for securing the furring strip 400 to abuilding substrate or cladding article. Apertures 413, 423 may bedesirable, for example, where relatively thick materials are used in theconstruction of the furring strip 400.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict a fifth embodiment of a furring strip 500. Thefurring strip 500 includes legs 510 including apertures 413 formechanical fasteners, a face 520 including face dimples 525 andapertures 523 for mechanical fasteners, and webs 530 disposed betweenthe legs 510 and the face 520, the webs 530 including web openings 535.Similar to the furring strip 400 depicted in FIGS. 4A-4D, the furringstrip 500 has a height of 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) with a dimple diameterof 0.3125 inches (7.938 mm) and a dimple height 127 of 0.0626 inches(1.5875 mm). Similar to the furring strip 300 depicted in FIGS. 3A-3D,the legs 510 of the furring strip 500 are substantially flat and do notinclude leg dimples. Thus, to achieve the same height as the furringstrip 400 of FIGS. 4A-4D, the webs 530 may be longer relative to thoseof the furring strip 400.

In some embodiments, as shown for example in FIGS. 6A-6D, a furringstrip 600 can have substantially flat legs 610 and a substantially flatface 620 without dimples. In such embodiments, drainage can occurprimarily through web openings 635 in webs 630. In the example of FIGS.6A-6D, the furring strip 600 has a height of 0.875 inches (22.225 mm).In some aspects, additional features of the profile of the furring strip600 can include ridges 622 at lateral edges of the face 620 of thefurring strip 600. The example furring strip 600 may optionally includeapertures 613 and 623 to accommodate mechanical fasteners, as describedwith reference to previous examples above.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-8B, example furring strip installation methodsand configurations will be described. Although the furring strips 700,800 depicted in FIGS. 7A-8B are consistent with the furring strip 400depicted and described with reference to FIGS. 4A-4D, it will beappreciated that the configurations and methods of FIGS. 7A-8B canequally be implemented with any of the other furring strip embodimentsdepicted and described herein, for example, with reference to FIGS.1A-3D and 5A-6D.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an example structural furring system 750includes one or more furring strips 700 attached in a horizontalorientation to a building substrate 760. In various embodiments, thebuilding substrate can include one or more of studs or other horizontalor vertical framing members, a planar exterior sheathing such as plywoodor oriented strand board (OSB), a housewrap or other weather-resistantmaterial, or any other building material to which an interior orexterior cladding is to be applied. In the example structural furringsystem 750, the building substrate comprises vertically oriented studsin a laterally spaced configuration, for example, along an exterior wallof a building.

Conveniently, and in contrast to existing vertically oriented furring,the furring strips 700 can be mounted in a horizontal configuration asshown in FIGS. 7A-7B. In a horizontal configuration, the furring strips700 can be mounted at any desired spacing, and can be fastened equallyto the building substrate 760 by mechanical fasteners 765 for any studspacing. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7B, each furring strip 700 includes legs710 which are fastened to the building substrate 760 such that a face720 of the furring strip 700 is spaced outward from the buildingsubstrate 760.

With reference to FIGS. 8A-8B, a rain screen system 850 can furtherinclude one or more exterior cladding articles 870 secured to a buildingsubstrate 860 by furring strips 800. As in the structural furring system750 of FIGS. 7A-7B, the furring strips 800 are fastened to the buildingsubstrate 860 by mechanical fasteners 865, such as screws, nails, or thelike. Exterior cladding articles 870, for example, fiber cement claddingpanels, vinyl cladding panels, or the like, can then be fastened to thefurring strips 800 by mechanical fasteners 875 such as nails, screws, orthe like, to create an air gap 855 as part of the rain screen system850. Because mechanical fasteners 875 are configured to secure anexterior cladding article 870 to a furring strip 800, while mechanicalfasteners 865 are configured to secure a furring strip 800 to a buildingsubstrate 860, it will be appreciated that mechanical fasteners 875 canbe similar or different from mechanical fasteners 865, based at least inpart on the materials comprising the building substrate 860, the furringstrips 800, and the cladding articles 870.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8A-8B, an example method of installinga cladding will now be described. The method begins by placing a firstfurring strip 800 in a desired position for installation with the legs810 and/or leg dimples 815 adjacent to the building substrate 860. Thefirst furring strip 800 can then be secured to the building substrate860, for example, by a plurality of mechanical fasteners 865 such asnails or screws, which may be driven through the legs 810 between theleg dimples 815 and/or through apertures within the legs 810. Furtherfurring strips 800 may then be installed at a desired spacing to yield aconfiguration similar to the system 750 depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B.When a plurality of furring strips 800 have been installed, one or moreexterior cladding articles 870 are obtained. A first one of the exteriorcladding articles 870 is placed into a desired position forinstallation, with an inner surface of the first exterior claddingarticle 870 adjacent to the face 820 and/or face dimples 825 of thefurring strips 800. The first exterior cladding article 870 can then besecured to the furring strips 800, for example, by one or moremechanical fasteners 875 such as nails or screws, with may be driventhrough the face 820 and/or through apertures 823 within the face 820.Further exterior cladding articles 870 may then be installed at adesired spacing and/or adjacent to the first exterior cladding article870 to yield a completed rain screen system 850.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, in some embodiments, drainage functionalitycan be achieved by the application of a drainage layer 980 a, such as anadhesive tape, to a furring strip 900 that has a substantially flat face920 and substantially flat legs 910. In various embodiments, the furringstrip 900 can be a lineal metallic strip, for example, a commerciallyprofile such as a hat channel, furring channel, u channel, or the like.In other embodiments, the furring strip 900 can be a wooden furringstrip having a generally rectangular cross-sectional profile. Similar tothe furring strip 600 of FIGS. 6A-6D, the example furring strip 900 ofFIG. 9A includes ridges 922 at lateral edges of the face 920 adjacent towebs 930. Accordingly, the drainage layer 980 a can advantageously allowexisting vertical furring materials to be mounted in a horizontalconfiguration, thereby providing more flexible installationconfigurations.

The example drainage layer 980 a depicted in FIG. 9A comprises anadhesive tape including an inner surface 985 at least partially coatedwith a chemical adhesive, such as a glue, and a substantially planarouter surface 990 having one or more drainage features included thereon.For example, in FIG. 9A, the drainage features are generally rounddimples 995 a configured to provide a capillary break similar to thedimples depicted previously in FIGS. 1A-8B. A removable backing 987 canbe coupled to the inner surface 985 to protect the chemical adhesive onthe inner surface 985, and removed before attachment to the furringstrip 900. Thus, when the drainage layer 980 a is coupled to the face920 of the furring strip 900, the resulting combination is a furringstrip 900 with integrated drainage functionality similar to otherfurring strip embodiments described herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 9B-9G, a variety of shapes and configurations ofdrainage features can be implemented with the adhesive drainage layersdescribed herein. For example, the outer surface 990 of a drainage layer980 b as shown in FIG. 9B includes drainage features 995 b in the formof square or diamond-shaped protrusions from the outer surface 990.

In a further example, as shown in FIG. 9C, a drainage layer 980 cincludes drainage features 995 c comprising oval, elliptical, or obroundprotrusions from the upper surface 990. The drainage features 995 c areoriented along the width of the outer surface 990, such that a verticaldrainage channel is created when the furring strip 900 (FIG. 9A) isinstalled in a horizontal configuration between a building substrate anda cladding article.

Referring now to FIG. 9D, a drainage layer 980 d includes oval,elliptical, or obround drainage features 995 d similar to the drainagefeatures 995 c depicted in FIG. 9C. In the drainage layer 980 d, thedrainage features 995 d are oriented diagonally on the outer surface990.

Thus, a furring strip 900 (FIG. 9A) with the drainage layer 980 d can beinstalled in either a horizontal or vertical configuration while stillcreating a diagonally downward drainage channel adjacent to an installedcladding article.

FIG. 9E depicts an alternative embodiment of a drainage layer 980 eincluding drainage features 995 e in the form of alternating thicker andthinner portions of the drainage layer 980. The drainage features 995 eare oriented along the width of the outer surface 990, such that avertical drainage channel is created when the furring strip 900 (FIG.9A) is installed in a horizontal configuration between a buildingsubstrate and a cladding article.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 9F and 9G, drainage layers 980 f, 980 g forapplication with furring strips 900 (FIG. 9A) can include drainagefeatures 995 f, 995 g of different heights, for example, based on thefurring strips 900 to be used with the drainage layers 980 f, 980 g. Thedrainage features 995 g of FIG. 9G are relatively taller than thedrainage features 995 f of FIG. 9F. Thus, the drainage layer 980 g willgenerally create a wider drainage and ventilation channel when installedwith a cladding article, relative to the drainage layer 980 f.Accordingly, in some implementations, it may be desirable to use thedrainage layer 980 g with a wood furring strip or a furring strip 900 asdepicted in FIG. 9A, which does not have any integrated drainagefunctionality, and to use the drainage layer 980 f with a furring stripthat already includes limited drainage and/or ventilation functionality(e.g., the furring strip 600 depicted in FIGS. 6A-6D, which has webopenings 638 but no drainage features on the legs 610 or face 620).

Wind Load Deformation Testing

Wind load capacity is determined by calculating the applied loadcapacity in accordance with ASTM E-330, “The Standard Test Method forStructural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and CurtainWalls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference.” The test measures theuniform static air pressure difference, inward and outward for which thebuilding system and/or rainscreen system are designed to withstand underload conditions. The test monitors the displacement or change indimensions of the system after the applied load has been removed. Inaccordance with the test, a series of wind load model deformation testswere carried out to determine the ability of the various furring stripconfigurations to withstand an outward loading consistent with expectedwind load conditions. In a first set of model tests, the model furringstrips 100, 200, and 300, and an existing commercially available hatchannel strip, were each fastened to two studs spaced 24 inches (0.6096m) apart, with two fasteners securing each furring strip to each stud.The four strips were then loaded at 20 lbf (88.96 N) outward from thecenter of each strip midway between the two studs, simulating theoutward force of wind loading created at the fastening point of acladding panel fixed to the furring strips. The maximum outwarddeformation of each strip due to the outward loading was measured, aspresented below in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Results of wind load deformation tests of example furring strips100, 200, 300 relative to commercially available furring withoutdrainage. Maximum Deformation Commercially Available Hat Channel 0.010inches (0.254 mm)  Furring Strip 100 0.013 inches (0.3302 mm) FurringStrip 200 0.014 inches (0.3556 mm) Furring Strip 300 0.057 inches (1.448mm) 

In a second set of model tests, the furring strips 400, 500, 600, weretested, along with an example commercially available hat channel, inaccordance with the ASTM E-330 standard test for wind load resistance.Each of model furring strips 400, 500, and 600 was made from 16 gasteel, and a 20 ga version of strip 400 was additionally tested. Thus,each model furring strip 400, 500, 600, and the commercially availablehat channel, were fixed to two studs spaced 24 inches (0.6096 m) apart.Each model furring strip was subjected to test loads of 35 lbf (155.7 N)and 44.4 lbf (195.7 N), at a single point centered on the furring stripand between the studs. For the 35 lbf test load, 6D common nails wereused at the load location; for the 44.4 lbf test load, no. 8 screws wereused at the load location. Each model furring strip was then furthertested with seven test loads of 35 lbf (155.7 N) spaced evenly betweenthe studs at 4 inches (10.16 cm), again using 6D common nails, and withthree loads of 44.4 lbf (195.7 N) spaced evenly between the studs at 8inches (20.32 cm), again using no. 8 screws. The maximum deformation wasmeasured as presented below in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Results of wind load deformation tests of example furring strips400, 500, 600 relative to commercially available furring withoutdrainage. 1 × 35 lbf 1 × 44.4 lbf 7 × 35 lbf 3 × 44.4 lbf Max. Max. Max.Max. Deflection Deflection Deflection Deflection Commercial 0.019 inches0.023 inches 0.058 inches 0.041 inches Hat Channel (0.4826 mm) (0.5842mm) (1.4732 mm) (1.041 mm) Furring 0.025 inches 0.031 inches 0.072inches 0.051 inches Strip 400 (0.635 mm) (0.7874 mm) (1.8288 mm) (1.2954mm) Strip 400, 0.041 inches 0.052 inches 0.110 inches 0.083 inches 20ga(1.041 mm) (1.3208 mm) (2.794 mm) (2.1082 mm) Furring 0.024 inches 0.030inches 0.068 inches 0.049 inches Strip 500 (0.6096 mm) (0.762 mm)(1.7272 mm) (1.2446 mm) Furring 0.021 inches 0.026 inches 0.063 inches0.046 inches Strip 600 (0.5334 mm) (0.6604 mm) (1.6002 mm) (1.1684 mm)

Thus, as shown by the wind load deformation testing results above,various embodiments of the furring strips provided herein can providesubstantially improved flexibility and/or customizability of claddinginstallation configurations, while maintaining satisfactory drainage andresistance to wind load deformation.

Certain features that are described in this disclosure in the context ofseparate implementations can also be implemented in combination in asingle implementation. Conversely, various features that are describedin the context of a single implementation can also be implemented inmultiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination.Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certaincombinations, one or more features from a claimed combination can, insome cases, be excised from the combination, and the combination may beclaimed as any subcombination or variation of any subcombination.

Moreover, while methods may be depicted in the drawings or described inthe specification in a particular order, such methods need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, and thatall methods need not be performed, to achieve desirable results. Othermethods that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in theexample methods and processes. For example, one or more additionalmethods can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between anyof the described methods. Further, the methods may be rearranged orreordered in other implementations. Also, the separation of varioussystem components in the implementations described above should not beunderstood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and itshould be understood that the described components and systems cangenerally be integrated together in a single product or packaged intomultiple products. Additionally, other implementations are within thescope of this disclosure.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include or do not include, certain features, elements,and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intendedto imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way requiredfor one or more embodiments.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Although making and using various embodiments are discussed in detailbelow, it should be appreciated that the description provides manyinventive concepts that may be embodied in a wide variety of contexts.The specific aspects and embodiments discussed herein are merelyillustrative of ways to make and use the systems and methods disclosedherein and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. The systems andmethods described herein may be used for mounting cladding articles tobuilding substrates and are described herein with reference to thisapplication. However, it will be appreciated that the disclosure is notlimited to this particular field of use.

Some embodiments have been described in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. The figures are drawn to scale, but such scale should not belimiting, since dimensions and proportions other than what are shown arecontemplated and are within the scope of the disclosed inventions.Distances, angles, etc. are merely illustrative and do not necessarilybear an exact relationship to actual dimensions and layout of thedevices illustrated. Components can be added, removed, and/orrearranged. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature,aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element,or the like in connection with various embodiments can be used in allother embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, it will be recognizedthat any methods described herein may be practiced using any devicesuitable for performing the recited steps.

While a number of embodiments and variations thereof have been describedin detail, other modifications and methods of using the same will beapparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that various applications, modifications, materials, andsubstitutions can be made of equivalents without departing from theunique and inventive disclosure herein or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A furring strip for mounting a wall claddingarticle to a building substrate, the furring strip comprising: asubstantially planar face defined generally by a length and a width, thesubstantially planar face comprising a first edge and a second edgeopposite the first edge along the width; a plurality of substantiallyplanar webs, each substantially planar web extending from the first edgeor the second edge of the substantially planar face; and a plurality ofsubstantially planar legs parallel to the substantially planar face,each substantially planar leg extending from one of the plurality ofsubstantially planar webs at an end opposite the substantially planarface; wherein the substantially planar face comprises a plurality ofprotrusions configured to produce one or more drainage channels betweenthe substantially planar face and a cladding article secured to thesubstantially planar face, said drainage channels defining at least onegravity-assisted fluid flow path when the furring strip is mounted in ahorizontal or vertical orientation.
 2. A furring strip as claimed inclaim 1, wherein each of the plurality of substantially planar legscomprises a plurality of protrusions configured to produce one or moredrainage channels between the substantially planar legs and a buildingsubstrate secured to the substantially planar legs.
 3. A furring stripas claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the protrusions comprise anarray of dimples extending from an outer side of the substantiallyplanar face.
 4. A furring strip as claimed in any one of the precedingclaims, wherein the dimples are arranged in a rectangular array on thesubstantially planar face with a spacing of at least 0.25 inches(6.35mm) and not greater than approximately 1 inch (2.54 cm) betweenadjacent dimples.
 5. A furring strip as claimed in any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the dimples extend to a height of betweenapproximately 0.03125 inches (0.7938mm) and approximately 0.25 inches(6.35mm) relative to the outer side of the substantially planar face. 6.A furring strip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, whereineach of the substantially planar webs comprises a plurality of openingsextending through the substantially planar web to accommodate water orair flow through the substantially planar web.
 7. A furring strip asclaimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the openingshas a width between approximately 0.1 inches (2.54mm) and approximately0.3 inches (7.62mm), and a length between approximately 0.5 inches (1.27cm) and 1.5 inches (3.81 cm).
 8. A furring strip as claimed in any oneof the preceding claims, wherein the furring strip comprises rolledsheet steel having a thickness of at least 20 gauge and not greater than16 gauge.
 9. A furring strip as claimed in any one of the precedingclaims, wherein a wind load of approximately 44.4 lbf (195.7 N) at twoor more fastening points along the substantially planar face produces adeflection between 0 and //240 inches, where / is the span distance,expressed in inches (//609.6 cm when expressed in cm), between thefastening points.
 10. A wall cladding system having a multifunctionstructural furring, the wall cladding system comprising a furring stripas claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 and at least one wall claddingpanel, wherein the furring strip is mounted to the exterior of abuilding substrate such that the substantially planar legs abut thebuilding substrate; and at least one wall cladding panel mounted to thefurring strip such that the plurality of protrusions of thesubstantially planar face abut the wall cladding panel; wherein an innersurface of the wall cladding panel, the outer side of the substantiallyplanar face, and two or more of the protrusions of the substantiallyplanar face define a first gravity-assisted drainage flow path.
 11. Awall cladding system having a multifunction structural furring, the wallcladding system comprising a furring strip as claimed in any one ofclaims 2 to 9 and at least one wall cladding panel, wherein the furringstrip is mounted to the exterior of a building substrate such that theplurality of protrusions of the substantially planar legs abut thebuilding substrate; and the at least one wall cladding panel is mountedto the furring strip such that the plurality of protrusions of thesubstantially planar face abut the wall cladding panel; wherein an innersurface of the wall cladding panel, the outer side of the substantiallyplanar face, and two or more of the protrusions of the substantiallyplanar face define a first gravity-assisted drainage flow path; andwherein the building substrate, the inner sides of the substantiallyplanar legs, and two or more of the protrusions of the substantiallyplanar legs define a second gravity-assisted drainage flow path.
 12. Anadhesive drainage tape for a furring strip, the adhesive tapecomprising: a substantially planar tape defined generally by a length, awidth, an inner surface, and an outer surface, the inner surface atleast partially coated with a chemical adhesive; and an array ofprotrusions extending from the outer surface, the protrusions generallydefined by a height relative to the outer surface and a spacing betweenadjacent protrusions; wherein the adhesive tape is configured to befixed by the chemical adhesive to a substantially flat face surface of astructural furring strip before an exterior cladding article is coupledto the furring strip such that, when the exterior cladding article iscoupled to the furring strip, a gravity-assisted drainage flow path isdefined by an inner surface of the wall cladding panel, the outersurface of the tape, and two or more of the protrusions.
 13. An adhesivedrainage tape as claimed in claim 12, wherein the protrusions arearranged in a rectangular array on the outer surface with a spacing ofat least 0.25 inches (6.35mm) and not greater than approximately 1 inch(2.54 cm) between adjacent protrusions.
 14. An adhesive drainage tape asclaimed in any one of claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the protrusionsextend to a height of between approximately 0.03125 inches (0.7938mm)and approximately 0.25 inches (6.35mm) relative to the outer surface.15. An adhesive drainage tape as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14,wherein the protrusions extend to a height of between approximately0.0625 inches (1.587mm) and approximately 0.125 inches (3.175mm)relative to the outer surface.
 16. An adhesive drainage tape as claimedin any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the protrusions comprise dimpleshaving a circular cross-section.
 17. An adhesive drainage tape asclaimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the width of the adhesivetape is selected to fit against a face of a hat channel furring strip.